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Belgium – Temporary staffing grows in construction

Last year, there were nearly 10,000 temporary agency workers active in the construction industry in Belgium, a joint report by the Construction Confederation and Federgon showed this week.

This figure has increased by +39% since 2010 and has continuously risen since 2002 by an annual average of +20.7%.

Until the end of 2001, agency work was prohibited in the Belgian construction industry. The research shows that smaller companies in particular are now using agency workers. 78% of firms hiring less than 20 employees make use of agency staff.

Over half (53%) of temporary workers in the construction industry are aged under 30. A temporary worker works on average 50 days per year, which still represents a small fraction (1.4% in 2011) when compared to the total number of days worked in the sector.

According to the data, many construction workers are able to find permanent jobs after a stint of temporary employment. Out of 100 workers who enter the industry for the first time as temporary workers, 44 later find permanent jobs in construction.

Demand for skilled labour in the industry also remains high – every year, there are 20,000 vacancies to be filled in construction.

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